Mass. gas-tax bill could raise $800M for transport projects

Massachussetts Gov. Deval Patrick plans on making sure the gas-tax bill in the state legislature will provide $800 million for the improvement of transportation infrastructure. The Massachusetts House and Senate have already voted to approve increasing the state gas tax to 26.5 cents from the current 3 cents. The bill also increases taxes on cigarettes and some software services. A final version of the legislation is being worked out by a joint House-Senate committee.